“How to convert M4A to MP3 Mac? I’m trying to convert a audio recording I made using Quicktime to an MP3 or WAV file for exporting to the web and uploading on ATT Office at Hand. What’s the easiest way to get my M4A file to export as an MP3 or WAV file for uploading to a website? I am using Mac.”

You can convert M4A music file to MP3 format on Mac easily by using Leawo Video Converter for Mac, which acts as a professional M4A to MP3 converter for Mac users to fulfill the M4A to MP3 conversion with ease. It’s friendly with the latest Mac OS.

Part 1: Brief Introduction to M4A and MP3

M4A is a file extension for an audio file encoded with advanced audio coding (AAC) which is a lossy compression. M4A was generally intended as the successor to MP3, which had not been originally designed for audio only but was layer III in an MPEG 1 or 2 video files. M4A stands for MPEG 4 Audio.

MPEG-1 and/or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is an audio coding format for digital audio which uses a form of lossy data compression. It is a common audio format for consumer audio streaming or storage.

Both M4A and MP3 file extensions are used for audio-only files. Audio-only MPEG 4 container files usually have an M4A file extension. M4A files are unprotected. Protected files usually have an M4P file extension.

AAC or M4A file quality is better and file sizes smaller compared to MP3 files. M4A files sound better than MP3 files when encoded at the same bit rate due to some of the enhancements made to the format such as:

Compression based on perception — if it is not within human perception, that sound data may be lost without notable effect to quality.

Smaller sample block size of 120 or 128 samples rather than 192 for changing (or transient) signals, allowing for more precise details where they are needed.

Larger block sizes in stationary signals, 1024 or 960 vs MP3’s 576 sample blocks, allowing for less data to represent a portion of the music that does not have the same complexity.

There are many programs that you can use to play M4A and MP3 audio file, such as QuickTime player, Leawo Blu-ray Player, etc.

Part 2: Convert M4A to MP3 on Mac with Leawo Video Converter for Mac

Like what is discussed in the very beginning, Leawo Video Converter for Mac can be used to convert M4A to MP3 on Mac. Actually, it can convert video and audio file of more than 180 formats, like converting MP4 to AVI, MP4 to MP3, MKV to MP4, etc. It allows users to edit video and audio parameters of output file, and its internal video editor allows for video trimming, video cropping, video watermarking, video effect adjusting, and 3D video creating.

Video Converter

☉ Convert video and audio between all formats, of course including M4A to MP3 conversion

Before converting M4A to MP3 Mac, you need to download and install Leawo Video Converter for Mac on your computer.

Guide on how to convert M4A to MP3 on Mac with Leawo Video Converter for Mac:

Step 1: Import source M4A files

Launch Leawo Video Converter for Mac to enter the main interface. Under the “Convert” module, click the “Add Video” button to browse and choose source M4A audio files or directlry drag and drop source M4A audio files into this M4A to MP3 Mac converter.

Step 2: Set MP3 as output format

After importing source M4A audio files, click the drop-down box before the big green “Convert” button and then select “Change” option to enter the Profile window for output format setting. To convert M4A to MP3, you need to open “Format > Common Audio” group to select MP3 as output format.

Optional: If you’re not satisfied with the audio parameters of preset output format like audio codec, audio quality, audio bit rate, sample rate and channel, you could reset them. After setting output format, re-open the drop-down box and then select “Edit” option to enter the Profile Settings panel. On the Profile Setting panel, you could freely set these parameters.

Step 3: Set output directory

When all the format settings are finished, save the settings and return to the main interface. Click the big green “Convert” button on the main interface to set output directory on the popup sidebar. You could open “Save to” box to browse desired folder as output directory.

Step 4: Convert M4A to MP3 on Mac

At last, start converting M4A to MP3 on Mac by clicking the bottom “Convert” button on the sidebar.

Part 3: Record M4A to MP3 on Mac with Leawo Music Recorder for Mac

Besides using Leawo Video Converter for Mac to convert W4A to MP3 on Mac, you could also make use of Leawo Music Recorder for Mac to realize W4A to MP3 conversion on Mac. Leawo Music Recorder for Mac could perform as Mac W4A to MP3 music converter as well to help you record W4A audio files into MP3 format on Macbook and iMac in simple clicks.

Leawo Music Recorder

☉ Record any music file from computer stream audio and built-in input audio.

☉ Record music from 1000+ music sites like YouTube, Facebook, Veoh, VEVO, etc.

How to Record W4A to MP3 on Mac with Leawo Music Recorder for Mac?

Click the above download link to download and install the Mac version of Leawo Music Recorder for Mac on your Macbook or iMac. Then follow the below steps to learn how to record W4A to MP3 on Mac in detail.

Step 1: Set Audio Source

On the main iterface, you could see a simple guidance. Click the mic icon to set Audio Source from "Record Computer Audio" and "Record Built-in Audio" options. Since you need to record W4A files and convert W4A to MP3 on Mac, choose "Record Computer Audio" option.

Step 2. Set output directory and format

On the program menu bar, open "Leawo Music Recorder – Preferences – Format" panel one by one to set output format. You need to choose MP3 audio as output. Meanwhile, under the "General" tab, set output directory in the "Output" box.

Step 3. Start recording W4A to MP3 on Mac

After settings, go back to the main interface and then click the red "Start" button and then play your W4A audio files on your computer to start recording W4A to MP3 on Mac.

With Leawo Music Recorder for Mac, you could easily get MP3 audio off W4A audio files on Mac computer. This W4A to MP3 recorder software could even help you add music tags like artist, album, cover, year, title, etc. to perfect the MP3 audio files you’ve recorded.